A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Bruin family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 5888 · Dutch, A–C
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a lion ramp. ar. guttée de sang”
Netherlandsc. 1815
Where the Bruin Arms Were Recorded
Friesland
Map of Netherlands showing where the Bruin arms are recorded
The Bruin arms were recorded in Netherlands, c. 1815.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Friesland.
Friesland was low, wet country on the northern coast of the Netherlands, farmed by families who had held the same land for centuries. Free landholders were unusually common there, and a free landholder could carry arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
Region
Friesland
First recorded
1815
Granting Authority for the Bruin Arms
Hoge Raad van Adel
Photograph made by me · CC BY-SA 3.0
The body that granted and recorded arms in Netherlands in this period.
William I of the Netherlands
Sovereign of the period
William I of the Netherlands
1815–1840
Reigning in Netherlands when the Bruin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Netherlands
In the Netherlands, coats of arms were often used by noble families and those who held specific public offices. These arms were passed down through the generations to legitimate descendants. Younger branches of a family usually kept the original design without needing to add special marks. This system ensured that the family identity remained clear and consistent over many years.
Granting authority
The Hoge Raad van Adel is the official body that regulates and manages noble titles and coats of arms in the Netherlands.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through official royal grants or by proving their long-standing historical use of the symbols.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms are officially recorded in the registers held by the Hoge Raad van Adel, which began its work in 1814.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Netherlands.
Origin & History of the Bruin Family in Netherlands
The surname Bruin finds its roots in the Dutch language, where it serves as a descriptive term for the color brown. In the early history of the Netherlands, names often developed from physical characteristics, and it is likely that the first people to carry this name were noted for their brown hair, dark clothing, or a tanned complexion. By the early nineteenth century, the family established a clear presence in the northern province of Friesland. This region was historically distinct due to its unique language and strong tradition of independent farming communities. Records from 1815 confirm that members of the family were settled there during a time of significant administrative change, as the Netherlands transitioned into a unified kingdom. These early ancestors were part of a society that valued local identity and agricultural stability, helping to anchor the family name within the Frisian landscape for generations to come.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
Colours
Red (Gules)Means: Military strength
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Quarterly, gu. and az. four estoiles or”
Englandc. 1620
Where the Bruin Arms Were Recorded
York
Map of England showing where the Bruin arms are recorded
The Bruin arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in Netherlands when the Bruin arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Bruin Family in England
The surname Bruin has deep roots in the linguistic history of England, often serving as a descriptive nickname derived from the Middle English word for brown. While the name appears in various regions, historical records confirm that members of the family were well-established in the city of York by 1620. During this era, York was a bustling center of trade and religious activity, providing a stable environment for families to settle and grow. The name likely evolved as a way to distinguish individuals based on their physical appearance, such as hair or eye color, before it became a permanent hereditary surname. As these early families lived and worked in the northern heartland of England, they contributed to the local community through their roles in commerce and civic life. By the early seventeenth century, the Bruin name was already a fixture in the parish registers and legal documents of the region, marking the family as a long-standing part of the area's social fabric.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Brun
A Germanic word meaning brown or dark-colored.
This name
BruinA descriptive nickname for someone with brown hair or a dark complexion.
also spelled
Bruyn
Bruyne
Bruyin
Related arms
Brewinvariant spelling
Bruenvariant spelling
Bruyinvariant spelling
Bruynvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Meertens, P.J., Voornamen en familienamen in Nederland, 1964
Tresoar (Frisian Historical and Literary Centre), Bevolkingsregisters van Friesland (1811-1850)
Van der Schaar, J., Woordenboek van voornamen, 1964
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
lionCourage, strength and royalty
lionCourage, strength and royalty
starThe celestial goddess, and nobility
